The Lakers have plenty of cap room for 2016 NBA free agency, but not everyone should be on their radar
2016 NBA free agency is going to be crucial for the Los Angeles Lakers in many ways. It’s no secret at this point that the Lakers are going to be one of the most well-off teams in the league as they tackle the market after the salary cap jumps, but they are also a rebuilding team that could use a severe influx of high quality, smartly selected talent.
Making the right moves this upcoming summer in free agency could really help expedite the rebuilding process in Los Angeles. That’s not to say that every problem that the Lakers currently have can be solved through free agency because, frankly, even $60-plus million in cap room doesn’t make that possible. However, with the right free agency signings, the franchise keeping their first-round pick, and the proper development of the young talent already on the roster, the Lakers could show vast improvement as soon as next season.
However, the front office’s decision-making in recent years hasn’t really been anything that would inspire confidence in the fans as to what they are going to do this coming summer. Whether it’s been trading for Dwight Howard or even signing the likes of Lou Williams and trading for Roy Hibbert in the 2015 offseason, their decisions have seemed short-sighted and based more on making a splash because of name recognition rather than making the best move for the organization.
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The Lakers front office’s recent track record is relevant coming into 2016 free agency because there are plenty of big names that will be available on the open market. However, just signing a big name so that the headline looks pretty is the absolute last thing that the Lakers need as they try to construct a dynasty in a post Kobe Bryant era.
We’ve already discussed current Toronto Raptors guard and likely free agent DeMar DeRozan and why signing him would be a mistake for the Lakers (even with rumored interest already being discussed six months in advance). However, DeRozan is far from being alone in the category of players that the Lakers should stay away from this summer in free agency.
These are five players who are also in that boat with DeRozan and that the Lakers should steer clear of in 2016 NBA free agency.
Next: No. 5 Jeff Green
5. Jeff Green
Jeff Green has never been a superstar in this league (or even a star really), which makes him stand out from the rest of the players on this list. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the current Memphis Grizzlies forward will be on the open market this summer and that the Lakers need to be sure to stay far away from him.
The reasons for labeling Green in this regard for the Lakers have nothing to do with talent. Green has shown on numerous occasions and stops throughout his career that he is, in fact, supremely gifted as an athlete and basketball player. However, problems with inconsistency have plagued him over the course of his career as well and he has settled into a role as a high upside, low floor role player for most of his tenure in the Association.
With the spike in the salary cap, a player with Green’s proven talent is going to demand what would seem like an ungodly amount of money given this season’s cap. And while the new financial constraints change that, Green isn’t the type of player that the Lakers should be in pursuit of. For a young team that’s already going to have to endure the ups and downs of relying on youthful prospects, they don’t need a veteran role player who they have the same concerns with.
Signing Green wouldn’t be a travesty like some of the other signings on this list would be for the Lakers, but it would be a move that would ultimately hurt the rebuilding process for the franchise and stunt the growth of the team.
Next: No. 4 Joe Johnson
4. Joe Johnson
Let’s start off by saying that there is absolutely no chance in hell that Joe Johnson is going to get paid the same amount of money that he is on his current deal, even with the salary cap hike. That goes for the Lakers and for every other team in the league; he probably wasn’t worth the money he’s currently being paid when he signed the contract and he certainly isn’t worth it at 34 years old.
Even if he’s not going to be demanding a max deal or a contract even really near that level, though, Johnson’s value in terms of name recognition is undeniable. Subsequently, there has to be a fear that the Lakers might try and pursue him to address their needs on the wing because adding him to the roster would be a move that might make fans say, “Hey, I remember Joe Johnson and he used to be pretty good.”
While that could potentially be what the front office wants, the operative phrase in that hypothetical fan-thought is “used to be pretty good.” Because now, Johnson is not good at all. Age has more than caught up to Johnson and it’s evident in terms of his ability to stay healthy and even his ability to produce when healthy. Despite the fact that the Brooklyn Nets could desperately use a strong influx of production in their offense this season, Johnson can’t even provide that as he’s averaging a meager 11.2 points on 37.7 percent shooting.
Johnson isn’t going to demand the huge contract that he’s currently playing on, but that perceived value shouldn’t persuade the Lakers in any way. The veteran should be labeled a stay-away and nothing more in 2016 free agency.
Next: No. 3 Nene
3. Nene
With Roy Hibbert coming off of the books this offseason, the Lakers are certainly going to be in pursuit of a center in free agency to put in the middle as both a defensive anchor and a reliable offensive threat. Considering the slight market at the position in 2016 free agency and the frenzy that’s inevitably set to ensue, that could potentially lead the Lakers to putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches, which is what signing forward/center Nene would be.
For starters, the last thing that the Lakers need as they try to take the next major step in the rebuilding process is someone that you can’t rely on to stay on the floor. The sad fact is that Nene is unquestionably that type of player and has been for the majority of is career. The current Washington Wizards big man hasn’t played over 70 games in a season since 2010-11 with the Denver Nuggets. At 33 years old, that’s not a problem that’s going to dissipate over the end of his career.
Moreover, Nene’s effectiveness over the past couple of seasons when he’s been healthy hasn’t been near at the level that it once was. The big man is capable of solid offensive outputs on any given night, but that level of production on a consistent basis hasn’t been there. Given that he’s also been a questionable defender in addition to that and his value only continues to decline.
Nene is another player who likely isn’t going to demand a max contract or a deal even close to that. However, he’s a veteran player who fill a need for the Lakers with a recognizable name, which makes it worrisome that the Lakers might pursue him. That would, of course, be a big mistake.
Next: No. 2 Rajon Rondo
2. Rajon Rondo
There may not be a player in the NBA right now who has done more to boost his value for 2016 free agency than point guard Rajon Rondo. This past summer in free agency, Rondo was coming off inarguably his worst season in the league with perceived attitude problems and virtually no market to sign him. While the Sacramento Kings haven’t been totally successful this season after ultimately signing Rondo, the veteran point guard has been.
Rondo has been revitalized by the move out west, putting up his best numbers in four seasons. He’s averaging a double-double midway through the year as he’s putting up 11.9 points and 11.6 assists per game. There’s no question that the idiosyncratic guard has brought new life to his career, but there’s equally no debate about the fact that the Lakers should avoid making the next stop in that new life of his Los Angeles.
The Lakers and Rondo have been linked together on a number of occasions in the past and, with Rondo re-establishing his value, you have to wonder if that mutual interest would again be in play this coming offseason. However, signing Rondo would not only put another body in the backcourt that’s primary focus should be on the development of D’Angelo Russell, but it would also put a strong personality on a roster that needs a fresh start after 20 seasons with Kobe Bryant. On all fronts, signing Rondo would be a poor decision by the Lakers front office.
Next: No. 1 Dwyane Wade
1. Dwyane Wade
More than any other player who will be hitting the open market this summer in free agency in regards to the Lakers, not one is more frightening than Dwyane Wade.
To be clear, the chances that Wade leaves the Miami Heat are slim. With the loyalty that he’s shown to the organization and the way that they have (albeit reluctantly) reciprocated, that doesn’t seem like a marriage that even an organization with the clout of the Lakers could cause to end in divorce. However, Wade going on the market at least opens up that possibility and that should terrify fans in LA.
For one, Wade’s health is only continuing to decline. While that doesn’t mean that he’s been in decline or unable to stay on the floor, what has been evident over the past couple of seasons is that his body is no longer allowing him to perform like a star player for an 82-game season. He’s shown stark decline in his effectiveness as the past few seasons have worn on and, by the end of the year or the postseason, he just can’t be the D-Wade that’s necessary for him to have the value to a team that he demands.
Next: Lakers' Top 3 Needs Ahead of Trade Deadline
Signing Wade would be one of the most boisterous things that the Lakers could do this offseason. It would make a splash around the league that would send ripples throughout and steal all the headlines. However, it would also be a rebuilding organization putting their faith in the in hands of a noticeably declining soon-to-be 34-year-old for what you’d have to expect would be a pretty penny. It might look good in the papers, but it would look awful on the hardwood.